Michigan State Gymnastics Finishes Second at Big Ten Championships

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 11 Michigan State gymnastics team scored a 197.475 to secure a second-place finish at the Big Ten Championships on Saturday evening, marking their fifth consecutive conference meet with a top-two result. The competition took place inside Illinois’ State Farm Center.

UCLA claimed the championship title with a score of 198.100, followed by Minnesota in third place with 196.900, and Michigan in fourth with 196.800. With this performance, MSU’s overall season record improves to 20-6.

“I’m so proud of this team tonight for walking into the arena on a mission to get it done,” said head coach Mike Rowe. “Everyone stepped up and did their job. Considering the season-ending injuries this year, individuals worked hard to fill those open line-up spots and get the job done. A few of them even earned podium finishes. It might not have been quite enough to catch UCLA, but we topped both Michigan and Minnesota.”

Rowe added, “The NCAA Selection Show is Monday and we’ll see who we’re up against in the second round of the NCAA Championships where everyone starts from a clean slate.”

Spartan Standouts Earn Individual Honors

Senior Sage Kellerman had a standout performance, winning the conference title on bars. She became the first Spartan since Kim Hartwick (1986-87) and only the second in program history to win Big Ten individual titles in two different seasons, having previously won the vault title in 2023 as a freshman. She also secured third place on vault.

Senior Nikki Smith achieved runner-up honors on floor and in the all-around, and shared third place on beam with freshman Lilia Cosman and sophomore Cady Duplissis.

All four Spartans – Kellerman, Smith, Cosman, and Duplissis – were named to the All-Championships team.

Event Recaps

MSU began the meet with a 49.400 on bars, tying their second-highest score of the season, and sat in third place after the first rotation. Kellerman led the Spartans with a career-high-tying 9.950 to earn the event title, although junior Kendall Abney matched a career-high 9.900. Smith earned a 9.875, junior MaKayla Tucker posted a 9.850, Cosman scored a 9.825, and senior Naya Howard led off with a 9.775.

A season-high 49.375 on beam helped the Spartans move into second place after two rotations. MSU recorded three scores of 9.900 from Cosman, Smith, and Duplissis, earning a share of bronze. Abney led off with a 9.850, matched by Tucker, and junior Isabella Trostel scored a 9.825.

The Spartans maintained second place with a 49.450 on floor. Smith led MSU with a 9.950 to finish as the event runner-up. Tucker earned her eighth score of 9.900 or better on the event, and Duplissis tied her career high with a 9.900. Senior Stephanie Lebster and freshman Korynne Marquart posted 9.850s.

MSU closed the meet with a 49.250 on vault to secure their second-place finish. Kellerman anchored with a 9.925 to capture her second podium finish of the day. Tucker earned a 9.875, Smith scored a 9.850, and Marquart and Trostel, who made her debut in the vault lineup, scored 9.800s.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 NCAA Regionals selection show is scheduled for noon on Monday, March 23 on ESPNU. NCAA Regionals are scheduled for April 1-5 at Arizona State, Kentucky, LSU, and Oregon State.